Cotton-harvesting machine



Jan. 27,1925- 1,524,290

H. s. COBURN ET A1.

COTTON HARVESTING MACHINE Filed Sept. '7, 1920 'T Shee'CS-Sheet l Jan. 27. 1925. i 1,524,290

H. s. coBURN ET Al.

COTTON HARVESTI NG MACHINE Filed Sept. '7, 1920 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 jwaiz'ar: Jim @Mm JhnZVIQZS.v L5Z290 H.s.coBURN ErAL COTTON HARVES TING MACHINE Filed sept. v, 1920 7 sheets-sheet Jan. `27. 1925-` y19524290 v l H. S. COBURN ET AL COTTON HARVESTI NGv MACHINE Filed Sep '2, 1920 7 sheets-sheet 4 b. k N

Jan. 27. 1925. 1,524,290 H. s. coBURN ET AL COTTON HARVESTING MACHINE n `Filed sept. v, i920 7 sheets-sheet 5 Jan, 27. `19.25.'

1',524,290 H.- S. COBURN ET AL COTTON HARVESTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 7, 1920 7 sheets-,sheet 6 7 Sheets-Sheet- 7 I I I I I I I I In o 5 I s O RI pf" Jan, 27, 1925.

H. s. coBURN ET AL COTTON HARVESTING MACHINE Filed sept. v, 1920 IHNIIW o N I I ||||I Im :@NIWI. I o.

i Patented Jan.`27 1925.

UNITED r STATES 1,524,290 PATENT OFFICE.

HIRAivr s, OOBURN, OF MALDEN. ANDv HARRISy Gl `PROUTY, ORWHTTMAN, MASSA OHUSETTS, As'sIGNORs Tol THE OOBURN OOTTON HARVESTER COMPANY, OF :Bos- TON, MASSAOHUSETTS, A CORPORATION or ARIZONA.

COTTON-HARVESTING MGHINE.

Application filed September 7, 1920. Serial No. 408,612.

To'all whom it may co-ncem:

Be it known that we, HIRAM S. COBURN and HARRIS G. PROUT'Y, both citizens of the United States, residing, respectively, at Malden, in the county of Middlesex, and at Whitman, in the county of Plymouth, both in the State of Massachusetts, have invented Vcertain new and useful Improve ments in Cotton-Harvesting.Machines, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to cotton harvesting machines and it has forits Objectto provide an improved machine of this kind.

Our invention is a .cotton harvesting machine` adapted to be moved `about over a cotton field' and to Operate automatically to remove the cotton. fromthe plants, One of the distinguishing features thereof consisting in providing thev machine `with a multiplicity of picker elements, preferably picker rods, such forY example, as shown and described in U. S. Letters Patent granted to Hiram S. Coburn Oct. 5, 1909, Number 936,236, which are constructed with barbs or prongs for engaging the cotton. In our improved machine these vrods aremovably supported upon the frame thereof and actuated so as to travel forward with relation to the ground intermittently, or step by step,

and during each period of rest with relation,

to the ground the rods are moved axially on the frame in adirection crosswise of the travel of the machine over the ground, so that the rods are at such times thrust into and withdrawn from the plants, the barbs or prongs on said rods engaging and picking up the cotton which is thereby pulled from the plants. Suitable means are provided for removing Or doiiing the cotton from the picker rods. i

Other features of our vinvention are hereinafter pointed out. l

In the accompanyin drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan vlew of the front end portion, and Figure 2 a plan viewof the rear end portion, ofa cotton harvesting machine constructed in accordance with. our` invention, these two gures when joined together constituting a com lete plan view of the machine. Figure `3 1s a slde elevation of the portion of the machine shown in Figure 1, and Figure ais aside elevation of the. Ortion of the machine shown in Figure 2, t ese two Figures 3 and 4, when joined together,

constituting a complete side elevation of the machine. `Figure. 5 is lan elevation Of the front end of the machine. Figure 6 is a plan view of one ofthe latch cams hereinafter referred to. Figure 7 is a section on line,7, 7, of Figure 3, but with the two picker carriers, hereinafter referred to, in

elevation. .o i

Figure 8 is an end elevation of one of the picker carriers. l ldligures 9, 10 and 11 are details illustratmg the construction of the picker carriers. In our improved machine as herein shown there are provided two carriers A. A', on each of which is mounted a multiplicity of picker elements herein showny as rods 1,

which may be constructed as shown and described in the patent to Coburn referred to above. These two `carriers are `mounted uponl the frame of thc machine, one at each side thereof, and areseparated so as to leave between them a passageway for the cotton plants. When the machine is in operation it is propelled over theground by means of an internal combustion engine M, which Amay be controlled by an operator from his position upon a seat C.y At the front end of the machine is provided another seat C for an operator who, by means of a steering wheel D, directs the course of the vehicle.

At its front end each carrier A, A', has connected with it yone end of a cable 2 which yextends forwardly around two sheaves 3 on the frame ofthe machine and thence rearwardly to a link 4 to which its other endis fastened. This link 1 connects the cable 2 with a wrist pin 5 projecting from an end- .the cable 7 with the wrist pin 5.011 the enaf less chain 6. The endless chain 6 is, supported by two Sprockets 10 and 11 ifast on Shafts 12 and 18 respectively, journaled in brackets Secured to the frame of themachine. `The shaft 13 also carries .a s rocket wheel 14 connected by an endless c ain 15 with a sprocket 16 fast on the main shaft 17 Ofjthe machine... The main' shaft 17 has a worm gear 18 fast thereon that .is continuously driven by a vWorm 19 fast on the l crank shaft 20 of engine ML One face of the chain' being the sameas the s'peedof the movement of thevehicle over theY ground,

e with the result that" during each rearward :members 297-are-provided in 1ieu-`of a` differential' connection:- between the two movement of each carrier on the frame" said .carrieris held at rest with relation to the -ground, for the reason that the carrier is moved rearward on the frame vof the machine at the same speed that the latter travels forward over the ground.

The frame of the machine is supported at its rearend byA two' wheels 24 each Journaled on a short-'axle'25 mounted onv the ,frame -ofi the machine:v VCompounded' with veach wheel 24 isa sprocket 26 connected by 'a chain 27 with a sprocket 28lloose'on Vmain .shaft 17;- One face of each sprocket v28 is 3()V vmade with a clutch memberf29 (zo-operating with a'clutchmember -30' splin'ed on shaft .17. Each clutch 4member' 30 isshifted into and out ofengagement withits 'membe1f29 by-means of1 a hand lever 31fulcrumed'on the frame of themachine and'within reach of v'the operatorupr'm4 the seat C. The clutch rear driving wheels, both wheels being vconnected with the main shaft17jwhile traveling a straight course, and one ork the other being-disconnected' therefrom in lnegotiating-turns.`

, '1 The driving wheels 24fl andfthemechanism through which they are driven from shaft 117 are constructed and arrangedvso as to" move the vehicle forward over the ground at .thefsanie Vspeed as that at which-pv the wrist pin 'm'oves'backand forthwith the endless chain 6.. Pleferablyth'e clutches 21-22 are set'sothattletwo carriers A and Af are reciprocated'simultaneously but lin opposite fdirections, that is` they` "move .back andjforth alternately. if

Each-L pick'er 'carrier'- AL and 'Af' sjakie near, its fronty and'rear'ends, respectively,

with upwardly extending bail-shaped fis'part o'fthe'frame of themachinejsaid bar 34'servin to bothsupport the carrier.

'and tohold lts upper end againstfvlateral displacement. u v The` pickers' eachcarrier `A andy A s per end wit l sides of vthe are arranged in a number of horizontal and vertical rows, and immediatel above each horizontal row of pickers is a ar 38, all.of said bars 38 being ri idly connected at their ends to twoupright ars 39. Each upright bar 39 is `provided near its upper and lower ends with trucks or rolls 40 resting upon rails 41 which are part of the carrier-frame. Also each upright 39 is provided at its upa stud42 carrying a roller 43 which rests against and co-operates with a latch cam 44 fastened immovabl to the frame of the vehicle. Four of t e latch cams 44 are provided on the frame of the machine, two for each carrier A and A. VDuring .the back and'forth movements of each pickerc'arrier on the frame of the machine the upright bars 39 thereof, tg ther with their horizonal bars 38 travel bac and. forth with the picker carrier and the rolls 43 are thereby caused to traverse the cams 44. During the forwardmovement of each sus picker carrier the two rolls 43 thereof travel in a straight path along the straight cams44 with which they cooperate, and at the end of the forward movement of thel picker carrier these two rolls are in positions forward of two normallyopen 'latches 46. formin art of the two cams 44 of said carrier. ese latches 46 are pivoted at 47' and held normally open by springs 48. It will be clear, therefore, that when the picker carrier is moved rearward on'the frameof the machine and is stationary with relation to the ground, the cams 44' are moving forward with the vehicle, with the result that the cam rolls 43 are directedby the latches 46 into the laterally extending cam ves 49 of the cams 44. As. the cam ro le pass through these grooves 'thetwo end u rights 39 and their connecting cross bere 8g are moved sidewise toward the centerof `the machine and back again. As shownin Figure 10v lthe laterally extendingarm 35of each picker 1 is engagedl atop ositeside thereof by a--yoke 50 secured to t 1e adjacent crossl bar 38,50 that when the' latter isnnouedmward the center of themachine'and Aback again by cams 44,

as just described, these yokes slide the pickto, is made vwith rearwardly' projecting barbs sothat only during its retracting, or return, movementfunder the inuence of cams`44 does it engage the cotton and pull the samefrom lante.

Eachpicker is partially housed vwithin a sheet metal trough 51, forming part of the picker carrier frame, and u n its interior this trough is provided with rearwardly facing barbs ,52. It therefore happens that each time the picker is retracted the cotton pulledfrom the plant by it is drawn freely into the trough of the picker, but when the picker is again moved forward out of its trouglr51 the barbs 52 prevent the cotton from moving out with the picker. The `cotton accumulating within each trough 51 is eventaually forced or `crowded toward the outer end of the latter through repeated. movements of the picker a-nd finally dis-- chargesA from said outer end into a basket' or other receiver 53 secured to the picker carrier frame upon the outer side thereof.

As each cam roll 43, moving rearwardly along its cam groove 49, passes out of the rear end of the latter it idly pushes aside a latch 54 that normally closes said end. This latch 54 ispivoted at 55 and normally held closed by a spring 56. The cam roll 43 moves rearwardly beyond latch 54 so' that when said cam roll is' again moved forward it is held against entering cam groove 49 by latch 54`which bridgesY and closes'the rear end of said cam groove. y Thus only during the rearward movement of the cam rolls 43 do they enter cam grooves 49.

The two rear wheels 24 are mounted upon two short aXles 25 on the frame of the vehicle, one at each side thereof, so that the cotton plants can pass, without interference, between them.

Guide rails 57, formingpart of the frame of the vehicle, guide or direct the plants properly between the two picker carriers A and A as the'vehicle moves along the row of plants.

Near its forward endthe frame of the vehicle has journaled thereon an upright post 58 on the upper end of which the wheel D is mounted. This post 58 has fast to its lower end a sprocket wheel 59 engaging an endless chain 60, whichalso extends around supporting and guiding sprockets 61 journaled` on studs projecting from the frame of the vehicle. Spring pressed take-up rolls 62 maintain the `chain taut. This chain is ...connected at 63 to an arm 64, forming part of a yoke 65, each arm of which latter is forked and straddles-a kwheel 66. This yoke 65 is pivotally connected at 67 to the frame of the vehicle, and, as will be clear, rotation of the post 58. acts through the sprocket chain 60 and arm 64-to swing the yoke on the pivot 67 to direct the course ofthe vehicle over the ground. The arm 65 to which the sprocketchain is connected also acts in conjunction with another forwardly extending -arm 68 to support the yoke 65 against side thrust fore and aft.

In the preferred form of our' invention the group 'of picker elements on each carrier A and A is in length twice the length of each forward step movement of the carrier, or substantially that, in order that the plants of the' row shall be operated upon It is not essential that the wrist pin 5 travel back and forthV at exactly the saine speed as that at which the vehicle moves forward as a small difference in this par ticular would not result in any substantial sidewise displacement or dragging of the picker elements while they are projected into the plants.

What wevclaim is: f

1. A cotton harvesting machine comprising a portable frame v,adapted to be moved along a row of 'cotton plants; a multiplicity of plcker elements movably mountedy upon said frame; means for shifting said picker elements back and forth on said frame to cause said elements to move forward intermittently relatively to the ground and said row; means for reciprocating said picker elements during each period of rest between forward movements thereof to cause said elements to move into and out of engagement with the plants of said row, and stripping means carried by said frame that is caused to engage and remove the cotton from said picker elements by the reciprocating move ments of the latter.

2. A cotton harvesting -machine constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein the stripping means consists of a trough for each picker element provided upon its interior with cotton engaging barbs disposed to engage the cotton and prevent movement thereof with the picker element when the latter is moved toward the plants. the cotton removed from the plants by the picker element being carried by the latter into said trough when said element moves away from the plants.

3. A cotton harvesting machine comprising a vehicle frame adapted to be moved along a row of cotton plants; a `icker carrier mounted upon said vehicle ame with provision for backward and forward movement thereon; a multiplicity of picker elements mounted upon said carrier frame with provision for endwise movement transversely of the direction of travel of sald vehicle frame; means for moving said carrier frame backwards and forwards on said vehicle frame vto cause said carrier frame to move forward intermittently along said row, and means through which the relative movement between said carrier frame and said vehicle frame occasions endwise reciprocating movement of said picker elements to move the latter' into and out of the plants during each period of rest between forward movements of said carrier frame.

V4;. Ay cotton harvesting,machine comprising a portable frame adapted to be moved along a row of cotton plants; al carrier mounted upon said 'frame and movable longitudinally thereof; means for shifting said carrier on said frame to cause it to travel intermittently forward relatively to said row as Said frame traverses the latter; a multiplicity of picker rods movably mounted upon said carrier; means for .shifting said picker rods axially on said carrier in a direction crosswise of the direction of travel of said carriery so as to move said picker rods into and out of engagement with said plants during each interval of rest of said carrier, said operating means including an actuator mounted upon said carrier and engaging said picker rods and a one-waylatcli cam on said frame for operating said actuator,

and meansfor removingr the picked cotton l from said picker rods.

5. A cotton harvestin machine comprising a. portable frame a apted t0 be moved along a row of cotton plants; a carrier mounted upon said frame and movable longitudinally thereof; means for shifting said carrier on said frame to cause it to travel intermittently forward relatively to said row as said .frame traverses the latter; a multiplicity of picker rods movably mounted upon said carrier; means for shifting said pickerrods axially on said carrier so as to move saidvpicker rods into and out of engagement with said plants during each interval of rest of said carrier, said operating means includinor an actuator mounted upon said carrier and engaging said picker rods and a pair of one-way latch cams on said frame acting upon opposite ends of said actuator to shift the latter transversely on said carrier, and means for removing the picked cotton from said picker rods.

In testimony Awhereof We have aixed our signatures.

HIRAM S. COBURN. HARRIS G. PROUTY. 

